RULE 1: Old beetles/new beetles. First and foremost, Punch Buggy started with the old beetles but they are becoming very rare. All the buddies I used to play the game with hit on the new ones now, but they are either worth one hit point, (or you can't hit your buddy as hard.) The old ones are worth two hit points. See Rule 2
It just ain't the same with the new ones.
Note: I heard they argued about the punch buggy rules on the Anna Nicole Smith Show. HEY ANNA, I got a big news flash for you, the game is gonna become extinct! Sometimes ya just gotta adapt a little bit, and really, this is a small change. I don't like it either, but if we didn't do this, we'd never get to play anymore. Look at it this way, at least we didn't have to change the type of car we play with, VW just made more new ones!! Basically a VW Beetle is a VW Beetle!
RULE 2: Calling a punch properly. To call a punch, you hit 'em, say Punch Buggy, the color of the 'bug' and no returns. (NOTE: You have to specify an 'old' bug, but not a new bug. You also have to state if it's a convertible, but not a Hard top. You can also say 'Rag-top' instead of convertible.)
So let's say a red convertible passes, you'd yell: "Punch buggy, red convertible, no returns. If ya call the wrong color, not state it's a convertible or not specify no returns, prepare to get smacked back. If it's an old convertible bug you'd say:" old Punch buggy, red convertible, no returns.
Yeah, it's a bit of a mouthful, but it's worth three hits.
If three of you are in the car, YOU only need to call it once and you can hit 'em both. Of the two remaining people, one has gotta call a proper punch next to hit the last. You obviously then you can't be hit by by either guy for calling Punch Buggy. If there's a fourth guy then tough luck. If ya didn't hit him when you called a hit, then he's free to hit you. See Rule 3
RULE 3: No Returns. There's a bit of squabbling over the 'No Returns' rule. Number 1: You Can't call 'no returns' if you haven't hit anyone. Hence the words 'NO RETURNS', and 2: You can't hit one guy, call 'No returns' and have it apply to the rest of the people in the car. That will get you labeled as a sissy! If you didn't want to play, then you should have stated that at the beginning. These guys usually end up walking.
RULE 4: On car colors. We've agreed that if it's a two colored bug you can call: both colors, the predominant color or say "Punch Buggy, two-tone..." If it's more than two colors, then calling it: the predominant color (if it has one), multicolored, or psychedelic will work depending on where you live and who hasn't come out of what era!
RULE 5: There is no rule five!
RULE 6: Plain sight. The 'bug' has to be in plain sight, or at least, viewable to everyone. None of this you in the back seat spotting a 'bug' two blocks down a side road partly hidden by other cars. That my friends is a free hit back but only by the people you hit on that pathetic call.
RULE 7: How to call a 'Prove it'. If some who got hit didn't see the bug and they call a 'prove it'. Then if ya go back and the bug IS there, then it's another free hit for you. If you're proven wrong, then the guy you hit gets two hits: one to return your hit, and one for being wrong. If the bug is in motion and you can't turn to follow or find it, Then the honor system has apply here to some degree. Hopefully someone else in the car can speak on your behalf if you get that desperate.
RULE 8: No punching the driver in the head! If he kills you for causing an accident, you only have yourself to blame. We generally keep hits to the shoulders, ribs, chest and the upper legs.
RULE 9: Lots of beetles. OK this a tough area, but if you pass a garage or body shop that specializes in VW beetles, and there's dozens of 'em in the yard, then at least pull over before ya start swinging 'cause it's gonna be a slug fest!! Some of the guys say dealerships and garages are off limits 'cause you don't know ,say, which red bug you hit on. See Rule 10
RULE 10: No hitting on the exact same bug. If you're driving and a bug is in front of you, and you've just called a hit on it, then it turns a corner and you end up behind it again then you can't hit on it again. If you try, then you deserve to get dumped on the side of the road, or at least thrown a beating for being so foolish! Also see Rule 9.
RULE 11: OK guys, if you're at the mushy stage with your girlfriend you can substitute punches for kisses. (Gawd!)
RULE 12: Local beetles. If there is a local bug, say a neighbor has one, or one you know it's gonna be there every day, then you can only hit on it once a day. None of this circling the block to ' Get 'em back!' See Rule 10
RULE 13: Calling a time out. The driver can call 'SAFETY' or 'TIME OUT' if say he's holding a cup of coffee, pulled over reading a map, or getting ready to merge at an on ramp. Anyone else can call a 'time out' if say, they're eating or reading, or just not playing. If the guy who called a time out tries to call Punch Buggy, BEFORE he says 'SAFETY OFF!' or 'TIME BACK IN' then it's a free hit back for anyone he hit.
RULE 14: Out driving. OK, this one also has caused some problems but most of us agree that you have to be out driving before you can call a hit. You can't be calling "Punch Buggy" if you are walking down the street, or in the gas station paying for gas. That won't cut it. Pretty much if you are out of the car and you are at one of any, or the main destination, then the game is stopped. Also, Rule 10 still applies no matter how many stops you make.
RULE 15: On a tie: If two say it about the same time, who hits first, is the one that gets the point. If they've hit you and you were first, then you get a free hit back. A third person in the car can take advantage of the confusion and hit 'em both and call Punch Buggy. See Rule 3
RULE 16: On mass transit: Someone asked me "Can you play Punch Buggy on the bus, LRT or subway?" Sure you can, just don't blame me when people start givin' ya weird looks, or get on their cell phones to see if the local hospital is missing any mental patients! Just remember, if you do, all the rules apply.
Well, there quite simply are the rules and remember, always wear a seat belt! |
